$382 Find Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica - Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
San José
San José1 stop$587
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$697
San José
San José1 stop$587
Liberia
Liberia2 stops$697
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Des Moines to Costa Rica flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from Des Moines to Costa Rica are running about 14% higher than they were around this time last year, averaging $775 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares from Des Moines to Costa Rica right now?

The cheapest fares from Des Moines to Costa Rica on KAYAK in the last week were to San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $439 round-trip, and to Liberia (LIR) from $697 round-trip.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

September is the cheapest time of year to fly, with average fares of $666. Prices are highest in November, when average flight costs increase to around $1,381.

Which airport in Costa Rica is the cheapest to fly to from Des Moines?

Based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into Costa Rica are:

• San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $751
• Liberia (LIR) from $801

What’s the cheapest day to fly from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

Sunday tends to be the cheapest day to fly from Des Moines to Costa Rica, while Thursday is the most expensive. Fares run about 38% higher that day, based on the past 12 months of KAYAK data.

What's the cheapest time of day to fly from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

Data from the past 12 months shows it's cheapest to fly to Costa Rica during the afternoon with average prices of $734. The evening is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $794.

Key details for Des Moines to Costa Rica flights

Low season

October

Cheapest flight

$383
Beat the crowds with an average 29% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 33% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Des Moines to San José

Your Des Moines to Costa Rica flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • Is now a good time to book a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    Yes. Fares from Des Moines to Costa Rica are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $687 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's a good time to book.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from Des Moines to Costa Rica have ranged from $687 to $896.

  • What are the main airports serving Costa Rica?

    Flights to Costa Rica use two main airports, San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and Liberia (LIR).

  • What airlines fly nonstop from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, no airline regularly operates nonstop flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica. One-stop options include:

    • Delta
    • American Airlines
    • United Airlines

  • Which cabin classes are available on flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica?

    On flights from Des Moines to Costa Rica you can book Economy Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks in Costa Rica?

    KAYAK travelers' favorite landmarks in Costa Rica include:

    • Parque Metropolitano La Sabana
    • Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
    • Museo de Oro
    • Morazan Park

Your guide to booking Des Moines to Costa Rica flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, book your trip for September when flights are typically cheapest and avoid November when prices are at their highest.
  • Flying on Sunday is usually the cheapest. Flights on Thursday cost about 38% more on average, so being flexible with your travel dates could help you save.
  • If you're looking to save, San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) is the cheapest airport to fly into from Des Moines. If you have onward travel, don't forget to factor in the cost of your journey by train, bus or domestic flight.
  • Start your trip in San José, which is the most popular destination in Costa Rica. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular destinations such as La Fortuna, Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio.

Reviews of the top airline flying from Des Moines to Costa Rica

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Des Moines to Costa Rica? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.0
American AirlinesOverall score based on 12129 reviews
6.8Entertainment
7.4Boarding
7.2Comfort
7.9Crew
6.4Food
Airline reviews

I was truly shocked at how poor this flight went. The crew was not friendly during the checking process. The asked for people to gate check and were rude about it. They didn't handle my luggage with care. When I got to my seat I noticed a large section of the ceiling vent area was, no joke, TAPED TOGETHER WITH CLEAR PACKING TAPE! To add insult to injury, the back rest button was disabled on my seat and all the seats I could see. The wifi, never connected for me, despite troubleshooting it for a while. I did everything from restarting my wifi/phone to forgetting the network and restarting the app. But that didn't stop the mandatory 2 ads from playing every single time. Even the bags took over 45 mins to arrive at the carousel. Everything about this flight was a flop and I am beginning to notice that some of these events are becoming a trend. Perhaps it's time I switch loyalty programs.

4.0 OkayTed, Oct 2026
Read more American Airlines reviews

I was truly shocked at how poor this flight went. The crew was not friendly during the checking process. The asked for people to gate check and were rude about it. They didn't handle my luggage with care. When I got to my seat I noticed a large section of the ceiling vent area was, no joke, TAPED TOGETHER WITH CLEAR PACKING TAPE! To add insult to injury, the back rest button was disabled on my seat and all the seats I could see. The wifi, never connected for me, despite troubleshooting it for a while. I did everything from restarting my wifi/phone to forgetting the network and restarting the app. But that didn't stop the mandatory 2 ads from playing every single time. Even the bags took over 45 mins to arrive at the carousel. Everything about this flight was a flop and I am beginning to notice that some of these events are becoming a trend. Perhaps it's time I switch loyalty programs.

Had to find alternative flights because of AA lateness and bad planning

The plane was experiencing problems with the HVAC system, it was very cold in the front of the plane and very hot in the back.

The boarding process needs to be fixed. The zone don't work, especially when there is hardly anyone in zones 3, 4,and 5, leaving the majority of the passengers backed up in the aisle, especially because passengers seated near the front are blocking passengers who are seated in the rear of the plane. It would also help if the size of carry on bags was more strictly enforced.

In flight connectivity (via T-Mobile) was often not working.

Terrible. Internet/kiosk glitch prevented baggage checkin. Line at ticket co in Ter was under serviced and did not move. Agents did not call for flight but rather allowed time to pass. Then told each person as they reached the front if line that it was too late to check bags so they’d have to rebook flights. At least 15 people missed the flight as a result of this incompetence.

It was exactly what I expected, actually arriving sooner than scheduled.

Terrible, they canceled my flight due to an issue they had, couldn't fly me into the same place within 24 hrs so had to fly in 2.5 hrs away from my destination and spend even more money. The customer service was terrible (except at the airport in Charleston). Had to call to get my checked baggage fees reimbursed 2 wks later in which one customer service agent was very rude, wouldn't listen and then hung up on me. The second lady I spoke with was actually able to help me with that part thankfully. Would not recommend flying AA.

Delayed, missed connecting flight, ground crew double charged for international charges, were super rude and told me to just”deal with it” when I complained. Horrible airline, very frustrating.

A much better flight than our previous. The flight attendant took care of us and regularly checked in to see if we needed anything. Brought us drinks prior to the departure and then a couple more times. Totally makes the difference in how you travel when the crew is checking on their passengers. Great job on this leg of our trip.

More options for your flight from Des Moines to Costa Rica

Complete your trip to Costa Rica with a hotel stay or car rental